Design: Wayne Morpeth @waynemorpeth, Photography: Damon Meade @damonmeade
Riverside rebuild
This restoration project represents the regeneration of a landscape shaped by Cyclone Gabrielle—creating a robust and distinctly Gisborne riverside environment designed to strengthen and evolve. Following the removal of flood debris and management of accumulated silt, the riverbank was prepared for a new framework of coastal and subtropical planting. A considered palette of native trees, palms, flax and bottlebrush was introduced to provide structure, texture and seasonal colour while maintaining views toward the Waimata River. Generous spacing allows the planting to develop naturally, gradually creating a layered canopy and understory as the landscape matures.
